Daily Devotionals

Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God

Devotional: March 12th

The King’s daughter is all glorious within; her clothing is of wrought gold.- Psalms 45:13.

Thus Jehovah, the sovereign Lord of all, who "calleth things that be not, as though they were," speaketh by his Spirit of his church. By the pen of the royal prophet, the Lord describes the beauty and glory of all his members. They are viewed by God the Father, from all eternity, in Christ Jesus the heavenly bridegroom. They are beloved and chosen in him-"saved in the Lord Jesus with an everlasting salvation."- Isaiah 45:17. They are made all glorious within; without, they are most richly clothed.

What the church is viewed from eternity, that each member is destined to, and shall be made in time. For the establishing and comfort of our faith and hope, which is in God, here is a sweet, a near and dear relation spoken of, and which ever subsists: the church is the King of glory’s daughter, "the Lamb’s wife,"- Revelation 21:9 -according to the immutable law of love, which, like the laws of the Medes and Persians, changeth not. Therefore she shall possess and enjoy her portion and dowry, which is designed for her. Though in herself she is black and deformed, yet is she most gloriously arrayed with the perfect comeliness which Jesus puts upon her- Ezekiel 16:14. But she knows not of, nor glories in this outward clothing, till she is all glorious within. When the blessed Spirit hath quickened, enlightened, and possessed the soul, of the rich graces of faith and love, then in a holy triumph of heavenly joy and ecstasy she cries out, "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in MY God; for he hath clothed ME with the garments of salvation, he hath covered ME with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels, etc."- Isaiah 61:10.

Thus the righteousness, the perfect righteousness of Jesus is our clothing; like gold for its value and purity; like wrought gold, being the work of the life of Jesus, to an exact conformity of the perfect law. Our inward glory lies in the graces of the Holy Spirit, in the hidden man of the heart. By the former, we have a title to glory; by the latter, we have evidence of interest in, and meetness for the kingdom. Thus faith’s views are struck from the impression of the royal signet of God’s word. Woe to licentious tongues, who would deprive the church of her INWARD glory and holiness. Woe to those sacrilegious hands of Pharisees, who would strip the church of her glorious robe of imputed righteousness. "For, saith the Lord, I will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her. He that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of his eye."- Zechariah 2:5-8.

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, who is the head, even Christ. Ephesians 4:15.

There is much good or much harm done, by public preaching and private speaking. See to it, Christians. It either makes souls grow up in self-love, self-righteousness, and self-complacency; or to grow quite out of all conceit with themselves, and to grow up into Christ in all things. Vain persons, who think themselves very handsome, are peculiarly fond of looking at themselves in a glass that flatters or deceives them. If they see a disgustful spot, or blemish in their face, their vanity prompts them to give it some better name than it deserves, that it may not bring down their high opinion of their own beauty. This is the exact case with those who are grown up in themselves, in a high conceit of their own senseless* perfection. If a spot or blemish of sin appear, O, that is only an infirmity: they do not call these things sin. But, one loud peal of thunder, one dreadful flash of lightning from Mount Sinai, would make them say with David, “I have seen an end of all perfection.” (Psalms 119:96.) And with St. Paul, “I was alive without the law once, but when the commandment came sin revived (it seems, sin was fallen into a dead swoon, but the law revived it) and I died.” (Romans 7:9.) Then St. Paul was glad to speak the truth, in love; to love the truth, as it is in Jesus; to grow out of conceit with himself, and to grow up into Christ in all things. O this is blessed growing. Lord make our souls thus increase, with all the increase of God. Into Christ: In a greater knowledge of his glorious person, more experience of his humbling grace, stronger exercise of faith in him, hope towards him, love to him, patience, resignation and self-denied obedience to his blessed word and will. In all things. Christ has redeemed us from all iniquity, and justified us from all things. Faith works by the love of this, to universal obedience. For Christ is the Head. Ever remember this, and be humble. Firmly believe this, and be joyful. He is, (1st.) the head of influence. You can have no grace to strengthen you; no righteousness to justify you: no holiness to sanctify you: no love of the Father to bless you: no Spirit to comfort you, but in and from him. The body is nourished from the head; so are all Christ’s members. (2d.) He is the head of eminence, to protect you from every evil enemy and danger, till he bring you safe to his glory. Know, that all this comfort and blessedness is enjoyed in the faith of Christ, “who is the truth.” John 14:6.

[* The Printer set senseless for sinless-as he could not have found a better epithet, I let it go so.]